I’ve been on the internet for the best past of two decades – and as a 27 year old you can imagine I’ve made some stupid mistakes with my data. I’ve signed up for countless websites, apps, and services—some were useful, some pointless, and most were completely forgotten.
Over the last few years I’ve become extremely conscious about data privacy and security, watching content from creators such as Techlore to better improve my digital footprint. But during this realisation, I came to the thought that I had no clear picture of where my data actually lived online. Forgotten accounts, old usernames, and compromised passwords were all scattered across the digital landscape.
That’s when I decided to embark on a daunting but rewarding journey: building a database of every online account I’ve ever made. With the help of KeePass and a lot of digging, I’ve started tracking my digital footprint to regain control over my data and secure my online presence. Here’s how I did it and what I learned along the way.
Why I Started This Journey
I had no idea how many online accounts I actually had. That made me extremely uncomfortable. Over the years, I’d signed up for everything from forums and social media platforms to niche services I used once and promptly forgot about. This lack of awareness, and quite frankly, plain ignorance, was a ticking time bomb for my data privacy and security.
Three key triggers pushed me to take action:
- Data Breaches: With so many platforms suffering security breaches, I worried about how many of my accounts were at risk.
- Digital Clutter: I wanted a cleaner, more intentional online presence.
- Better Organisation: Knowing where my data is stored and how it’s used gave me a sense of control and peace of mind.
My Tools of Choice
KeePass
KeePass is my current tool of choice for this project. I did start with some cloud based password management services and Bitwarden, but I promptly changed my mind and made the switch to KeePass. It’s an open-source, offline password manager that allowed me to securely store all my account information in one place. Its strong encryption, ease of use, and ability to categorise data made it the perfect companion for this journey.
Complementary Tools and Methods
While KeePass became my central repository, I also relied on:
- Email Inbox Searches: Digging through old emails for sign-up confirmations should help with the bulk, but unfortunately I used to be an avid inbox purger and switched between many different accounts and providers over the years.
- Google: I don’t keep my browser history for long enough for it to be relevant, so I used Google (and other search engines) to search for old usernames I’d use, particularly between the years of 2004-2014. I generally remembered what usernames I had back then so I was able to find a few dozen forgotten accounts that (maybe not) surprisingly, were still active.
- Online Account Deletion Resources: I used several guides and tools to close redundant accounts, such as JustDeleteMe and again Techlore.
How I Built the Database
Step 1: Digging Through the Past
The first step was reconstructing my digital history. This meant:
- Searching Emails: I combed through years of inboxes for sign-up confirmations, password reset requests, and newsletters from forgotten platforms.
- Recovering Old Accounts: Some accounts required password recovery or even reaching out to support teams to access due to not having access to certain email addresses. There were a few companies that had ALREADY been victim of several data breaches, so they forced password resets.
- Remembering the Early Days: Forums, chat services, and other relics of the early internet were often the hardest to track down, but using search engines and remembering my “quirky” 12 year-old self’s usernames, I was able to find a few.
Step 2: Categorising Accounts
Next, I organised the accounts into the following categories.
- Active – Self explanatory, these are accounts that are active. But not only are they active, they are intentionally active. As in, services I need to use in my day-to-day life.
- Closed – These are accounts that I have consciously decided to close, but only that. I’ve either contacted the company to revoke access with my information, or the company has gone bust. Either way, my data is technically still out there somewhere.
- Deleted – These are accounts that I am mostly confident the data is no longer available in a database, assuming said company complies with data regulations in the UK and/or EU.
- Pending – These are accounts that I’m waiting to place into the two categories above. Either I’m waiting for a response from the company, or I need to do something first before I can close and/or delete.
Step 3: Recording Details
For each account, I tracked:
- Username and email used
- Date of sign-up (if known)
- Password (or password hint, for extra security)
- Notes about the service (e.g., purpose, whether it’s still active)
- Status: active, closed, or pending deletion as above
Step 4: Closing Redundant or Risky Accounts
Redundant accounts and those from platforms I no longer trusted were flagged for closure. I used online tools and GDPR data requests to delete many of these accounts. This step significantly reduced my digital clutter, although it’s never fully complete as more and more accounts are found every day.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
- The Internet Never Forgets: I was shocked by how many old accounts still existed. Forgotten platforms still had my data long after I’d moved on.
- Password Hygiene is Crucial: Many of my older accounts used weak or reused passwords—a major security risk. KeePass helped me generate strong, unique passwords going forward.
- Digital Decluttering Feels Liberating: Closing old accounts and organising my data gave me a sense of control and clarity I didn’t realize I needed.
- Start Early: This process is much easier to manage if you start tracking your accounts sooner rather than later.
Why KeePass Is the Hero of This Story
KeePass became the backbone of my database. Its ability to:
- Store accounts in customisable categories.
- Securely encrypt sensitive data.
- Generate strong, unique passwords for new and existing accounts.
- Allow offline storage for maximum security.
KeePass not only helped me organise my accounts but also set me up for a more secure online future.
Advice for Others
If you’re thinking about tracking your online accounts, here’s what I recommend:
- Start Small: Focus on recent accounts and work backward.
- Use a Password Manager: KeePass or any secure password manager is invaluable for this process.
- Prioritise Security: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
- Be Patient: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a complete database takes time.
- Regularly Update Your Database: Make it a habit to record new accounts as you create them.
Conclusion
Building a database of every online account I’ve ever made has been a monumental but deeply rewarding task. It’s given me peace of mind, improved my online security, and helped me take control of my digital footprint. Just remember, it’s never too late to take control. Start small, use the right tools, and enjoy the clarity and security that comes with knowing exactly where your data lives.
And now to end this post with some stats..
Active – 75
Closed – 109
Deleted – 378
Pending – 58
Yep, over the last 20 or so years I’ve managed to compile at least 620 accounts.
Don’t be like me.